The Australian Government’s National Skills Commission (NSC) two days ago, released a list of emerging occupations. As the world of work and skills requirements evolve not only in Australia but also globally, new jobs in the labour market are being identified or emerging. With the ability for people to work and conduct business nationwide and globally despite the impact of COVID-19, these emerging jobs could potentially offer new career pathways for those wanting to reskill and/or transition to new employment.
What do I mean by the term emerging occupations?
These are frequently advertised jobs that are substantially different to those already defined and listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standards Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), and no, I’m not talking about the myriad of fancy/creative titles some companies may use to describe a job.
So far, the NSC has identified 25 emerging occupations, within seven categories which are listed in the infographic below, and this will continue to be monitored and emerging trends analysed.
How have these new emerging occupations come about?
Although previously new skills in the workforce were being adapted and learnt gradually, COVID-19 has been the impetus for seeing the need to accelerate the learning and adapting of these skills. Some skills evolvement changes the job whilst the occupation remains fundamentally the same. An example of this is the role of a librarian. Technology has changed how information is stored or accessed, which has resulted in less time spent on the physical aspects of information storage and retrieval, freeing more time assisting people how to access and use the information.
In other cases, such as in the example below of statisticians, the emergence of new skills has altered the nature of some traditional statisticians’ roles significantly enough that new occupations of data scientist and data analyst have emerged.
Below is a brief overview of the seven categories and 25 emerging occupations, obtained directly from the NSC website, 28 Aug 2020.
Data Analytics – “Occupations in this cluster are associated with growth in data and data-driven making”
- Data Analysts
“Data analysts import, inspect, clean, transform, validate, model, or interpret data. They ensure that data sources and repositories provide consistent and reliable information. Data analysts use algorithms and IT tools to prepare visualisations such as graphs, charts, and dashboards.
Their main tasks include gathering and analysing data, developing data visualisations or dashboards, writing data reports, and conducting statistical analysis”.
- Data Scientists
“Data scientists find and interpret rich data sources, manage large amounts of data, merge data sources, ensure consistency of data-sets, and create visualisations to aid in understanding data. They build mathematical models, present and communicate data insights and findings, and recommend ways to apply data.
Data Scientists’ main tasks include developing machine learning models, data mining, data analytics, visualisation, reporting and consultation.
- Data Engineers
“Data engineers are responsible for building data pipelines to pull together information from different source systems; integrating, consolidating and maintaining databases; structuring data for use in individual analytics applications; and developing algorithms to help make raw data more useful.
Data Engineers’ main tasks include migrating data pipelines, developing, managing and maintaining databases and providing data in a ready-to-use form to data scientists and analysts.”
- Data Architects
“Data Architects design strategies for enterprise database systems and set standards for operations, programming, and security. They design and construct large relational databases, integrate new systems with existing warehouse structures and refine system performance and functionality.
Data Architects’ main tasks include designing and managing data platforms, building and monitoring databases, and developing data governance and security procedures.”
- Pricing Analysts
“Pricing Analysts analyse production prices, market trends and competitors in order to establish the right price, taking brand and marketing concepts into consideration.
Their main tasks include analysis and setup of product prices, revenue and scenario forecast modelling, and coordinating and reviewing pricing agreements.”
Digital Deepening – “The occupations in this cluster are associated with the increasing role of technology in business”
- Digital Marketing Analysts
“Digital Marketing Analysts are responsible for analysing statistics and looking for ways that businesses can improve online marketing efforts. These efforts include things like social media ads, website banner ads, and online branding.
Digital Marketing Analysts’ main tasks include online marketing, social media marketing and campaign monitoring (e.g. through web analytics).”
- Social Media Specialists
“Social Media Specialists provide and maintain an interactive environment facilitated by applications such as social media, forums and wikis. They maintain relationships between different digital communities.
Social Media Specialists’ main tasks include developing, implementing and managing social media strategy, content and campaigns.”
- User Experience Analysts
“User experience analysts assess client interaction and experience and analyse users’ behaviours, attitudes, and emotions in relation to the usage of a particular product, system or service. They make proposals for the improvement of interfaces and the usability of products, systems or services. They take into consideration the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human–computer interaction and product ownership, as well as user perceptions of system aspects such as utility, ease of use and efficiency, and user experience dynamics.
User Experience Analysts’ main tasks include customer experience design, web and mobile apps interface design, and wireframes.”
Emerging Business Practices – These occupations are associated with reorganisation of roles in the workplace, causing changes in tasks.
- Agile Coaches
“Agile Coaches train corporate teams on the agile methodology (an iterative approach to project management and software development). Agile Coaches oversee the development of Agile teams and guide them through project implementation processes.
Agile Coaches’ main tasks include supporting teams with project planning and management, and educating and assisting organisations to work in agile working environments.”
- Devops Engineers
“Devops Engineers are IT professionals who collaborate with software developers, system operators and other IT staff members to manage code releases. They cross and merge the barriers that exist between software development, testing and operations teams and keep existing networks in mind as they design, plan and test.
Devops Engineers’ main tasks include planning the maintenance of IT platforms, setting up processes for automating programming workloads for deployment, and facilitating collaboration between IT development and operation teams.”
- Logistics Analysts
“Logistics Analysts analyse product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. They may manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracing.
Logistics Analysts’ main tasks include identifying areas for efficiency improvement in supply chains, analysing logistics data to provide insights and recommendations, liaising with different business areas to implement changes and new systems, planning logistics and forecasting and monitoring inventory.”
Health – These occupations are reflecting the changing specialisations and care practices in the health sector.
- Biostatisticians
“Biostatisticians develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Biostatisticians’ main tasks include data collection, analysis and reporting of biological data, monitoring and analysis of data from experiments, and carrying out research.”
- Nurse Liaisons
“A Nurse Liaison fosters the relationship between patients and the facilities providing their care. Nurse Liaisons establish patients’ eligibility for care, communicating with families, and interacting with a wide range of staff members, from admissions coordinators to case managers to physicians. They work in acute care, long-term care, hospice, and rehabilitation environments.
Nurse Liaisons’ main tasks include arranging care for patients, assisting patients in appointments, liaising with healthcare staff for patient health matters, ensuring consumer rights, and following up on insurance claims for patients.”
- Respiratory Therapists
“Respiratory Therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. They assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. They also initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records, and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Respiratory Therapists’ main tasks include providing respiratory treatment and care to patients, and providing assistance with the use and maintenance of breathing apparatus.”
Refreshing ANZSCO – These are jobs that are popular in industries, but not yet reflected in the ANZSCO occupations matrix list.
- Fundraisers
“Fundraisers organise activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organisation. They may design and produce promotional materials and raise awareness of the organisation’s work, goals, and financial needs. Fundraisers have been around for some time, however demand for this occupation is increasing, and the role is significantly different from existing occupations in ANZSCO.
Fundraisers’ main tasks include planning and organising events to raise funds, applying and writing grant applications, communicating and managing relationships with donors, and setting strategy and goals for future fundraising and marketing.”
- Researchers
“Researchers perform research, independently as a principal investigator. They further the search for knowledge through systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions. Researchers have been around for some time, however demand for this occupation is increasing, and the role is significantly different from existing occupations in ANZSCO.
Researchers’ main tasks include conducting and managing research projects, analysing data and writing research papers. Researchers also supervise students, and conduct experiments.”
- Research Assistants
“Research Assistants are employed by universities, research institutes or private organisations to assist in academic or private research. Research Assistants support social scientists conduct laboratory, survey, and other research. They may help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. Research Assistants are not independent and report to a supervisor or principal investigator. Research Assistants have been around for some time, however demand for this occupation is increasing, and the role is significantly different from existing occupations in ANZSCO.
Research Assistants’ main tasks include assisting with collecting and analysing data, setting up lab and field work, conducting surveys, research, experiments, and writing reports.”
Regulatory – Changing regulatory landscape, particularly in financial services and energy industries are reflected in this cluster.
- Risk Analysts
“Risk Analysts identify and review potential risk areas threatening the assets or capital of organisations. They may specialise in either credit, market, operational or regulatory risk analysis. They use statistical analysis to evaluate risk, make recommendations to reduce and control risk and review documentation for legal compliance.
Risk Analysts’ main tasks include credit and capital risk analysis, statistical modelling of corporate risks, providing risk management advice and supporting compliance activities.”
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
“Regulatory Affairs Specialists manage regulatory and legal matters in several sectors such as the healthcare, energy and banking industries. They oversee the development of products and services from inception to market release and ensure compliance with local legislation and regulatory requirements. They have experience in the different phases of regulatory processes and act as an interface between businesses and government officials or regulatory boards.
Regulatory Affairs Specialists’ main tasks include liaising with corporate staff and regulatory bodies, preparing submissions for regulatory authorities, interpreting and advising on legislation, and ensuring compliance with regulation.”
- Energy Auditors
“Energy Auditors conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. They may also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.
Energy Auditors’ main tasks include conducting household energy audits, advising companies on energy use and energy efficiency, and performing statistical analysis on energy data.”
- Compensation & Benefits Analysts
“Compensation and Benefits Analysts conduct analysis of job compensation and benefits for employers. They may specialise in areas such as position classification or pension programs.
Compensation and Benefit Analysts’ main tasks include organising and presenting human resource related materials on matters such as salary packaging or pension plans, and advising and managing workers’ compensation claims.”
Sustainability Engineering & Trades – These occupations reflect trends that are driven by sustainability e.g. new forms of renewable energy, which are resulting in a new mix of required skills.
- Solar Installers
“Solar Installers assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. This may include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. Solar Installers may perform minor electrical work such as current checks.
Solar Installers’ main tasks include installing solar systems, repair and maintenance of solar electrical systems, and estimating work requirements for quotes.”
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
“Energy Efficiency Engineers design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodelling stages of construction. They may specialise in electrical systems, green buildings, lighting, air quality, energy procurement or Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Energy Efficiency Engineers’ main tasks include designing controls for energy systems, designing and coordinating construction activities with energy considerations, implementing programs to reduce energy waste, and analysing and reporting on energy data.”
- Wind Turbine Technicians
“Wind Turbine Technicians inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. They perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Wind Turbine Technicians’ main tasks include installing, overseeing operation, and repairing or maintaining wind turbine systems.”
- Hazardous Materials Labourers
“Hazardous Materials Labourers identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialised training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. Hazardous Materials Labourers may operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Hazardous Materials Labourers’ main task include asbestos and hazardous waste removal, demolition work and cleaning medical centres or hazardous work places.”
Further information is available via the link below on each occupation including:
- Employment by year 2015 – 2019
- Weekly wage
- Demographic characteristics
- Qualification levels
- Top skills in demand. ** NB. These are the most frequently mentioned skills in Australian job advertisements, and do not represent the full range of skills required for the role.
Source: https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/introduction
Despite the impact of COVID-19, I believe the future of work is an exciting time for growth of new skills and occupations.
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